Rather than post weekly book reviews in April, I decided to do a round-up at the end of the month. If you’ve been keeping track on my “Books I’m Reading” page, you’ll see I’ve been interested in variety: a healthy mix of fiction of both the literary and genre type, and an array of nonfiction topics. For each, I’ll write a one-line synopsis and a brief review.
The book I loved: The Engagements by J. Courtney Sullivan (Fiction- Literary/Historical/Cultural)
Synopsis: An engagement ring ties together the stories of four people over several decades of American history, revealing changing traditions about marriage, engagement and even diamonds themselves.
Review: It’s one of the best novels I’ve read in a long, long time. I was grateful for its length, as each reading session left me wanting more. This hit all the spots for me: diverse, well-formed characters, social controversy, historical detail, Americana AND Francophilia. Mid-read, I tweeted to J. Courtney Sullivan that I was so happy to find a book that I knew I’d be loving right until the very end- and she very kindly responded with thanks!
The book I wanted to love: Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini (Fiction- Historical)
Synopsis: A dressmaker in Washington, D.C. in the 1860s tells her perspective on the Civil War, while becoming an integral part of the Lincoln White House.
Review: I love historical fiction, I’m a fan of Lincoln, and I’m interested in the Civil War, but I just couldn’t get into this book. I read about 20% and abandoned it. There just wasn’t enough story for me. The narrator got left behind as for several pages, the author explored battles and disease and bloody tragedies- and then landed right back in Mrs. Lincoln’s dressing room. It was all written well, but it wasn’t what I expected, and the unpredictable narration bothered me.
The book that helped me a little: 5-Minute Face by Carmindy (Nonfiction- Health & Beauty)
Synopsis: Advice on skin-care and makeup for every age, and Carmindy’s patented 5-minute face routine (with extensions on the routine for special occasions); beautiful, colorful illustrations.
Review: I wanted something to help me streamline my beauty routine, and this fit the bill. I liked that Carmindy recommended specific products in every price range, and also gave detailed instructions for application. Since reading this book, I’ve cut my makeup routine down to 5 minutes, and I think I look at least as good as I did when I was spending 10.
The book that helped me a lot: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin (Nonfiction- Self-Improvement)
Synopsis: Rubin delivers well-researched advice on happiness while describing her own year-long “happiness project,” in which she created monthly focus areas and resolutions to improve her own happiness level.
Review: I wish I’d read this before reading Happier At Home, which I had mixed feelings about; I think I would have appreciated the sequel much more if I’d read The Happiness Project first. I found this book not only enjoyable to read, but extremely thought-provoking. I’d thought Rubin’s approach to happiness was too rigid, but the way she described the project in this book helped me to understand her rationale. I’m considering a version of a Happiness Project of my own, and think this is one of those must-read books for everyone interested in a little self-improvement. I might have to add it to my “life-changing books” list.
A funny anecdote: the exact same day I picked this book up from the library (I’ve since bought my own copy) my friend Jen asked me, “Have you ever read The Happiness Project?” She’d just bought it too! I’m looking forward to discussing it with her.
The book that (almost) made me cry: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green (Fiction- YA)
Synopsis: Hazel, a terminal cancer patient, meets Gus, who’s in remission, at a support group; their brief journey of love, literature and loss unfolds.
Review: Beautifully written, and absolutely realistic. I kind of wish I’d had a friend like Hazel when I had cancer; someone who was going through the same thing and had a bitter, sarcastic, yet almost blasé sense of humor about it. This book sounds depressing, but it’s not. It’s about seeing the big picture, and how great love is sometimes even greater if it doesn’t last a lifetime.
Any recommendations for May?